CHICAGO — If you’ve wondered why those little yellow dandelions (that many call weeds) are running wild at city parks this spring, the Park District has a short answer: It means the grass is healthy.
To help protect visitors and the environment, nearly 90 percent of Chicago parks refrain from using chemical weed control products, according to a Park District press release. So each spring, dandelions grow freely throughout Chicago’s parks and public spaces.
The Park District manages dandelions by simply mowing grass. Grass in Chicago parks is kept about 3 inches tall, which allows the roots to access water deep in the ground, according to the Park District. As a result, the taller grass naturally shades out some weeds…